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History and Evidence 
of the 

Passage of 
Abraham 
Lincoln.... 

from Harrisburg, Pa., 
to Washington, D. C, 
on the Twenty-second 
and Twenty-third of 
February, : Eighteen 
hundred and sixty-one 




|It3RAKYofGONGn?:SS 
I we viooiBt R..»"e!ved 

ujy. .lb ''9or 

Ccsynuhf Entri' 
CU3:i >9 aX.c. no. 
COPY p- ^1 



.4- 



t'mcolni&n a 



1906 

Pinkerton's national Detective Jlgency 

FOUNDED BY ALLAN PINKERTON, 1860 

WM. A. PINKERTON, Chicago, ) PrinrinaU 

ROBT. A. PINKERTON, New York, [ •'"ncipais 

GEORGE D. BANGS, Gen. Mgr. ALLAN PINKERTON, Ass't Gen.:Mgr. 

New York New York 

JOHN CORNISH, Manager, Eastern Division, New York 
EDWARD S. GAYLOR, Manager, Middle Division, Chicago 
JAMES McPARLAND, Manager, Western Division, Denver 
J. C. ERASER, Manager, Pacific Division, San Francisco 

OFFICES 

NEW YORK 57 Broadway 

BOSTON 30 Court Street 

MONTREAL, CANADA Merchants Bank Building 

BUFFALO Fidelity Building 

PHILADELPHIA 441 Chestnut Street 

BALTIMORE Continental Building 

PITTSBURGH Machesney Building 

CLEVELAND, O Garfield Building 

CINCINNATI Mercantile Library Bldg. 

CHICAGO 201 Fifth Avenue 

ST. PAUL Manhattan Building 

KANSAS CITY 622 Main Street 

ST. LOUIS Wainwright Building 

DENVER Opera House Block 

OMAHA New York Life Building 

PORTLAND, ORE Marquam Block 

SEIATTLE Alaska Building 

SPOKANE Rookery Building 

LOS ANGELES Wilcox Building 

SAN FRANCISCO 927 Eddy Street 

ATTORNEYS FOR AGENCY 

CRAVATH, HENDERSON & DeGERSDORFF, NEW YORK 

This Agency is prepared to undertake all proper Detective business entrusted to 
it by Railroad or other Corporations, Banks, Mercantile Houses, Attorneys or Private 
ndividuals. It does not operate for Rewards or engage in Divorce Cases. 



1868. 
Pinkerton's National Detective Agency, 

ALLAN PINKERTON. Principal. GEO. H. BANGS, Gen. Supt. 



To THE People of the United States. 



Chicago, Jan. 8, 1868. 
The question of the passage of Mr. Lincoln, 
on the night of the 2 2d of February, 1861, from 
Harrisburg, Penn., to Washington, D. C, the 
Capital of the United States, is one of marked 
interest in history, and one upon which the peo- 
ple of this country, and the world, ought to have 
correct information. Hitherto I have kept silent 
upon this subject, and probably might have con- 
tinued so much longer, but that historians are 
now writing up the important events of the last 
seven years — a period the most exciting in the 
life-time of this Nation — up to the present stage 
of its existence, and I deem it proper to lay the 
following brief statement before the public in 
connection with this event. I am induced, more- 
over, to take this step from the fact of the publi- 
cation, in the second volume of Lossing's History 

5 



of the War of the Rebellion, of a letter from 
John A. Kennedy, Esq., Superintendent of the 
Metropolitan Police of New York City, dated 
New York, August 13, 1867, in which Mr. 
Kennedy speaks of the acts of himself and his 
detective force, in discovering the plot for the 
assassination of President Lincoln, on his pas- 
sage through Baltimore, en route to Washington, 
for inauguration as President. This letter has 
had so wide a circulation in the press of the 
United States that it will be unnecessary for me 
to insert the whole of it here. I merely desire 
to call attention to the following words : 

" I know nothing of any connection of Mr. 
Pinkerton with the matter." 

That is to say, Mr. Kennedy knew nothing of 
my connection with the passage of Mr. Lincoln 
from Harrisburg, via Philadelphia, to Washing, 
ton, on the 22d of February, 1861. In this 
respect, Mr. Kennedy spoke the truth : he did 
not know of my connection with the passage of 
Mr. Lincoln, nor was it my intention that he 
should know of it. Secrecy is the one thing 
most necessary to the success of the detective, 
and when a secret is to be kept, the fewer who 
know of it the better. It was unnecessary for 



6 



Mr, Kennedy to know of my connection with 
that passage, and hence he was not apprised of 
it. I am aware that Mr. Kennedy is a loyal 
man, and has done much service for the Union 
cause ; but it was not necessary that every 
Unionist should be informed that Mr. Lincoln 
was about to make an important movement. 
Therefore, the secret was imparted only to those 
whom it was necessary should know it. With 
this preface, my statement will be brief. 

About the middle of January, 1861, I was in 
Philadelphia, and had an interview on other 
matters with S. M. Felton, Esq., at that time 
President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and 
Baltimore Railroad, in which Mr. Felton men- 
tioned that he had suspicions that the secession- 
ists of Maryland were bound to injure his road, 
either by destroying the ferry boat which carried 
the trains across the Susquehanna River at 
Havre de Grace, or by the destruction of the 
railroad bridges over the Gunpowder River and 
other streams. Mr. Felton felt very desirous to 
protect his road from injury or obstruction by 
the "secessionists," as they were at that time 
called, but afterwards more familiarly known as 
" rebels," who were then busily engaged in plot- 

7 



ting the treason which shortly afterwards culmi- 
nated in open rebellion. Mr. Felton well knew 
that the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti- 
more Railroad was the only connecting link 
between the great commercial emporium of the 
United States and the Capital of the Nation, 
and appreciated fully the necessity of keeping 
that link unbroken. He desired that I would 
consider the matter fully, and, promising to do 
so, I returned to my home in Chicago. 

On the 27th of January, 1861, I wrote to Mr. 
Felton my views upon this subject. They were 
not given in connection with secession, but as to 
what detective ability might do to discover the 
plots and plans of those who might be contem- 
plating the destruction of any portion of this 
great and important link between New York 
and Washington. 

On the 30th of January, I received a telegram 
from Mr. Felton, requesting me to come to 
Philadelphia, and take with me such of my force 
as might be necessary, with a view to commenc- 
ing the detective operations to which I had al- 
luded in my letter to him of the 27th. 

On the I St of February, 1861, I accordingly 
left Chicago with such of my detective force, 

8 



male and female, as I thought adequate for the 
purpose required. We duly arrived in Philadel- 
phia, and after consultation with Messrs. Felton 
and Stearns, of the Philadelphia, Wilmington 
and Baltimore Railroad, I repaired with my force 
to Baltimore and there established my head- 
quarters. 

While engaged in the investigations spoken 
of, as relating to the safety of the Philadelphia, 
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad track, my- 
self and detectives accidentally acquired the 
knowledge that a plot was in existence for the 
assassination of Mr. Lincoln on his passage 
through Baltimore to Washington, to be inau- 
gurated as President. The plot was well con- 
ceived, and would, I am convinced, have been 
effective for the purpose designed. This infor- 
mation was acquired by me while in the service 
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore 
Railroad, who were paying me for my services, 
and although I felt impelled by my sense of duty, 
and my long friendship for Mr. Lincoln, (we 
both being old citizens of Illinois,) to impart the 
same to him, yet, knowing the loyalty of Mr. Fel- 
ton, I desired his acquiescence in doing so. I ac- 
cordingly imparted the information of the plot to 

9 



Mr. Stearns, and through him to Mr. Felton, and 
received from both those gentlemen the authority 
to impart the facts to Hon. Norman B. Judd, the 
warm and intimate personal friend of Mr. Lin- 
coln, who was accompanying the President elect 
on the tour from Springfield to Washington. 

Nothing further, I believe, is necessary from 
myself on this affair, as the evidence which ac- 
companies this statement is all that is necessary 
to show how far I speak truthfully. It would be 
egotistical on my part to parade before the 
public my acts. I hold proofs in addition to 
those, which are now furnished to the public, in 
my possession. A few words more, and those 
only in relation to one who is now dead, a 
martyr to the cause of the Union, who lies in 
unhallowed soil. 

" Unwept, unhonored and unsung." 

I allude to Timothy Webster, one of my de- 
tective force, who accompanied me upon this 
eventful occasion. He served faithfully as a 
detective amongst the secessionists of Maryland, 
and acquired many valuable and important se- 
crets. He, amongst all of the force who went 
with me, deserves the credit of savins the life of 
Mr. Lincoln, even more than I do. He was a 



native of Princeton, New Jersey, a life-long dem- 
ocrat, but he felt and realized, with Jackson, 
that the Union must and should be preserved. 
He continued in my detective service, and after 
I assumed charo-e of the secret service of the 
Army of the Potomac, under Major General 
McClellan, Mr. Webster was most of the time 
within the rebel lines. True, he was called a 
spy, and martial law says that a spy, when con- 
victed, shall die. Still spies are necessary in 
war, ever have been and ever will be. Timothy 
Webster was arrested in Richmond, and upon 
the testimony of members of a secesh family in 
Washington, named Levi, for whom I had done 
some acts of kindness, he was convicted as a spy, 
and executed by order of JefTerson Davis, on the 
30th of April, 1862. His name is unknown to 
fame ; but few were truer or more devoted to 
the Union cause than was Timothy Webster. 

With this statement, I herewith subjoin the 
following letters, which are proof of my partici- 
pation in the passage of Mr. Lincoln from Har- 
risburg, via Philadelphia, to Washington, on the 
night of the 2 2d of February, 1861. As I have 
before said, it was unnecessary that Mr. Kennedy 
should know aught of the movement that was 



going on, and I did not advise him of it ; although 
I am informed that he was on the same train and 
occupied the third berth in the same sleeping 
car from that where Mr. Lincoln lay on that 
eventful night of his passage to Washington 
from Philadelphia. 

Allan Pinkerton. 




12 



' 



MR. LINCOLN'S STATEMENT. 

Extract from Lossing's History of the War. Vol. I, Page 2j8. 



"■ Mr. Judd, a warm personal friend from 
Chicago, sent for me to come to his room (at the 
Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, Feb. 21st). I 
went, and found there Mr. Pinkerton, a skillful 
police detective, also from Chicago, who had 
been employed for some days in Baltimore, 
watching or searching for suspicious persons 
there. Pinkerton informed me that a plan had 
been laid for my assassination, the exact time 
when I expected to go through Baltimore being 
publicly known. He was well informed as to the 
plan, but did not know that the conspirators 
would have pluck enough to execute it. He 
urged me to go right through with him to Wash- 
ington that night. I didn't like that. I had 
made engagements to visit Harrisburg, and go 
from there to Baltimore, and I resolved to do so. 
I could not believe that there was a plot to 
murder me. I made arrangements, however, 
with Mr. Judd for my return to Philadelphia the 



13 



next night, if I should be convinced that there 
was danger in going through Baltimore. I told 
him that if I should meet at Harrisburg, as I had 
at other places, a delegation to go with me to 
the next place, (Baltimore,) I should feel safe 
and go on. When I was making my way back 
to my room, through crowds of people, I met 
Frederick Seward. We went together to my 
room, when he told me that he had been sent, at 
the instance of his father and General Scott, to 
inform me that their detectives in Baltimore had 
discovered a plot there to assassinate me. They 
knew nothmg of Mr. Pinkerton s movements. I 
now believed such a plot to be in existence." 




M 



LETTERS. 



[Letter of S. M. Felton, Esq.] 

Thurlow, Dec. 31st, 1867. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq. 

Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiries as to your agency in 
ferreting out the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln, on his first 
journey to Washington, and in aiding him on his journey to 
the Capitol, prior to his inauguration in 1861, I have to say, that 
early in that year, and while I was President of the Philadelphia, 
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, I employed you as a 
detective to ascertain the truth or falsity of certain rumors that 
had come to my ear as to the designs of the secessionists upon 
our road, etc. I told you only a part of the rumors that I 
had heard, only sufficient to put you on the track. You employed 
a force of some eight or nine assistants, and among other things, 
made certain to my mind that there was a thoroughly matured 
plot to assassinate the President-elect, on his journey to Wash- 
ington. After which I met you at a hotel, in Philadelphia, on the 
evening of Mr. Lincoln's arrival there, in company with Mr. Judd, 
Mr. Lincoln's intimate friend, when the whole plot was made 
known to him. After which Mr. Lincoln was seen by you and 
Mr. Judd, and made acquainted with all the facts. He declined 
to go to Washington in our sleeping car that night, as was 
my advice, but said that after going to Harrisburg the next day 
he would put himself in our hands. It was then arranged that 
he should be brought from Harrisburg to Philadelphia the next 
night by special train, and then go to Washington by our night 
line in the sleeping car, accompanied by yourself and one or 
two of his friends. The telegraph lines in all directions were 
cut, so that no tidings of his movements could be sent from 
Harrisburg, and all was carried out successfully. 

In all these movements you were the only detective employed 

15 



by me, and the only one who was conversant with Mr. Lincoln's 
movements, so far as I knew. All the movements of the train, 
in which Mr. Lincoln went from Philadelphia, were under my 
directions, and no other detective than yourself had any connec- 
tion with them in any way, unless it might have been as an or- 
dinary passenger. 

You certainly were the only one who gave me any informa- 
tion upon the subject, or who had anything to do with the 
planning of the journey, or who had accompanied Mr. Lincoln, 
as a detective officer, and quasi guard. 

Mr. George Stearns, then roadmaster, and Mr. William 
Stearns, then Superintendent, went with you, one to Baltimore, 
and the other from Baltimore to Washington. 

I have written a full account of the events prior to Mr. Lin- 
coln's first journey, of the journey itself, and of the events imme- 
diately subsequent to the same, for Mr. Lossing, and have de- 
tailed therein more fully the part you had in them all, and I 
refer you to that when published for all the particulars. 

Yours truly, S. M. FELTON. 




i6 



[Letter of Hon. N. B. Judd.] 

Chicago, III., Nov. 3d, 1867. 

Mr. Allan Pinkerton. 

Sir: — Yours of the 31st ult., enclosing a letter of Mr. Ken- 
nedy to Mr. Lossing, relating to the conspiracy to assassinate 
Mr. Lincoln on his passage through Baltimore in February, 1861, 
and printed in the second volume of Mr. Lossing's "History of 
the War," I found on my table last evening, on my return from 
the country. Notwithstanding the various publications in the 
papers, purporting to give accounts of that matter, some of 
which were grossly inaccurate, I have refrained from publishing 
anything in relation thereto; but the historian is making a per- 
manent record, and I cannot, in justice to you, refuse to make 
a statement of the facts, within my personal knowledge. 

As ycu suggest, I was one of the party who accompanied Mr. 
Lincoln from Springfield to Washington. When the party 
reached Cincinnati, I received a letter from you, dated at 
Baltimore, stating that there was a plot on foot to assassinate 
Mr. Lincoln on his passage through that city, and that you 
would communicate further as the party progressed Eastward. 

Knowing that you were at that point, with your detective 
force, for the purpose of protecting the Philadelphia and Balti- 
more Railroad against the attempt by the traitors to destroy the 
same, the information thus sent made a deep impression upon 
me, but to avoid causing anxiety on the part of Mr. Lincoln, 
or any of the party, I kept this information to myself. At 
Buffalo I received a second brief note from you saying that 
the evidence was accumulating. No further communication on 
that subject was received until we arrived in the City of New 
York. In the evening of the day of our arrival at the Astor 
House, a servant came to my room and informed me that 
there was a lady in No. , who wished to see me. Gen. Pope 
was in my room at the time. I followed the servant to one of 
the upper rooms of the hotel, where, upon entering, I found a 
lady seated at a table with some papers before her. She arose as 
I entered and said, "Mr. Judd, I presume," and I responded, 
"Yes, madam," and she handed me a letter from you, introducing 



17 



her as Mrs. Warne, superintendent of the female detective de- 
partment of your poHce force. She stated that you did not Hke 
to trust the mail in so important a matter, and that she had been 
sent to arrange for a personal interview between yourself and 
me, at which all the proofs relating to the conspiracy could be 
submitted to me. It was accordingly arranged that immediately 
after the arrival of the party in Philadelphia you should notify 
me at what place I should meet you. I informed her that I 
should be in the carriage with Mr. Lincoln from the depot to the 
Continental Hotel. During this interview with Mrs. Warne, 
Col. E. S. Sanford, President of the American Telegraph Com- 
pany, called and Mrs. Warne introduced him to me. He showed 
me a letter from you to him, relating to this affair, and tendered 
me the use of his lines for any communication I might have to 
make, and also his personal service if needed. 

At Philadelphia, while riding from the depot to the hotel, 
in the carriage with Mr. Lincoln, a file of policemen being on 
each side of the carriage, I saw a young man walking on the 
outside of the line of policemen who was evidently trying to at- 
tract my attention. At about the corner of Broad and Chestnut 
sts. the young man crowded through the line of policemen, nearly 
upsetting two of them, came to the side of the carriage and 
handed me a piece of paper on which was written, "St. Louis 
Hotel, ask for J. H. Hutchinson." I afterwards ascertained that 
this messenger was Mr. Burns, one of Col. Sanford's telegraphic 
force. 

Immediately after the arrival of the carriage at the Conti- 
nental I went to the St. Louis Hotel, and being shown up to 
Hutchinson's room I found you and Mr. S. M. Felton, President 
of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Com- 
pany, together awaiting my arrival. An hour and more was 
spent in examining and analyzing the proofs upon which you 
based your belief in the plot, and the result was a perfect con- 
viction, on the part of Mr. Felton and myself, that the plot was 
a reality, and that Mr. Lincoln's safety required him to proceed 
to Washington that evening in the eleven o'clock train. I ex- 
pressed the opinion that Mr. Lincoln would not go that night, 
but I proposed that you should immediately accompany me to 



i8 



the Continental Hotel, and lay the proofs before Mr. Lincoln, as 
he was an old acquaintance and friend of yours, and to my 
knowledge had occasion before this time to test your reliability 
and prudence. On proceeding to the hotel we found the people 
assembled in such masses that our only means of entrance was 
through the rear by the servant's door. We went to my room, 
which was on the same floor with the ladies' parlor, and sent for 
Mr. Lincoln. He was then in one of the large parlors, sur- 
rounded by ladies and gentlemen. I think Mr. Nicolay, his 
private secretary, took the message to him. Mr. Lincoln came 
to my room, forcing his way through the crowd, and all the 
proofs and facts were laid before him in detail, he canvassing 
them and subjecting you to a thorough cross-examination. After 
this had been done, I stated to him the conclusion to which Mr. 
Felton, yourself and myself had arrived. "But," I added, "the 
proofs that have now been laid before you cannot be published" 
as it would involve the lives of several of Mr. Pinkerton's force, 
and especially that of poor Tim Webster, who was then serving 
in a rebel cavalry company, under drill at Ferryman's in Mary- 
land. I further remarked to Mr. Lincoln, "li you follow the 
course suggested — of proceeding to Washington to-night — you 
will necessarily be subjected to the scoffs and sneers of your 
enemies, and the disapproval of your friends, who cannot be 
made to believe in the existence of so desperate a plot." 

Mr. Lincoln replied that he "appreciated these suggestions," 
but that he "could stand anything that was necessary." Then 
rising from his seat he said "I cannot go to-night. I have 
promised to raise the flag over Independence Hall to-morrow 
morning, and to visit the Legislature at Harrisburg, beyond 
that I have no engagements. Any plan that may be adopted 
that will enable me to fulfil these two promises I will carry 
out, and you can tell me what is concluded upon to-morrow." 
Mr. Lincoln then left the room, without any apparent agitation. 
During this interview Col. Ward H. Lamon entered the room, 
but left immediately. A few minutes after, Mr. Henry Sanford, 
as the representative of Col. E. S. Sanford, President of the 
American Telegraph Co., came into the room. You then left 
for the purpose of finding Thomas A. Scott, Esq., Vice-President 



19 



of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and also to notify Mr. 
Felton, who was waiting at the La Pierre House, of your report 
of the interview with Mr. Lincoln. 

About twelve o'clock you returned, bringing with you Mr. 
G. C. Franciscus, General Manager of the Pennsylvania Central 
Railroad, saying that you were not able to find Mr. Scott, who 
was out of town. 

A full discussion of the entire matter was had between us, 
the party consisting of Mr. Franciscus, Mr. Sanford, yourself 
and myself. After all the contingencies that could be imagined 
had been discussed the following programme was adopted : That 
after the reception at Harrisburg, a special train should leave 
the latter place at six p. m., consisting of a baggage car and 
one passenger car to convey Mr. Lincoln and one companion 
back to Philadelphia; that that train was to be under the con- 
trol of Mr. Franciscus and Mr. Enoch Lewis, General Superin- 
tendent; that the track was to be cleared of everything between 
Harrisburg and Philadelphia from half-past five until after the 
passage of the special train ; that Mr. Felton should detain the 
eleven o'clock p. m. Baltimore train until the arrival of the 
special train from Harrisburg; that Mrs. Warne should engage 
berths in the sleeping car bound for Baltimore ; that j'ou should 
meet Mr. Lincoln with a carriage at West Philadelphia, on the 
arrival of the special train, and carry him to the Baltimore train; 
that Mr. Sanford was to make it perfectly certain that no 
telegraphic message should pass over the wires from six o'clock 
the next evening until Mr. Lincoln's arrival in Washington was 
known; that Ward H. Lamon should accompany Mr. Lincoln. 

Every supposed possible contingency was discussed and re- 
discussed, and the party separated at half-past four that morn- 
ing to carry out the programme agreed upon. At six that morn- 
ing Mr. Lincoln fulfilled his promsie by raising the flag over 
Independence Hall, and I have always believed that the tinge 
of sadness which pervaded his remarks on that occasion, and 
the reference to sacrificing himself for his country, were induced 
by the incidents of the night preceding. 

Later in the morning — and I think about eight o'clock — 
Mr. Lincoln sent for me to come to his room. I went and found 




ALLAN PINKERTON 

I860 



Mr. Frederick H. Seward with Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln said 
to me that Mr. Seward had been sent from Washington by his 
father to warn him of danger in passing through Baltimore, and 
to urge him to come directly to Washington. I do not think 
that Mr. Seward stated to me the facts upon which his father's 
convictions were founded, but the knowledge that from an en- 
tirely independent line of testimony to that which you had fur- 
nished the preceding night, had led Gov. Seward to the same 
conclusion, that there was danger, strengthened my own convic- 
tions of the propriety of the course marked out. I told Mr. 
SeAvard that he could say to his father that all had been arranged, 
and that so far as human foresight could predict, Mr. Lincoln 
would be in Washington at six a. m. the next day, that he un- 
derstood the absolute necessity for secrecy in the matter. I 
do not think I gave him any of the details, but I am not positive 
on that point. 

After the train left Philadelphia for Harrisburg, and as soon 
as I could get a word with Mr. Lincoln alone, I told him the 
proposed plan of operations, and that I felt exceedingly the 
responsibility, as no member of the party had been informed of 
anything connected with the matter, and that it was due to the 
gentlemen of the party that they should be advised with and 
consulted in so important a step. It is proper to add, that Col. 
Lamon, Mr. Nicolay and Col. Ellsworth knew that something 
was on foot, but very judiciously refrained from asking ques- 
tions. To the above suggestion Mr. Lincoln assented, adding, 
"I reckon they will laugh at us, Judd, but you had better get 
them together." It was arranged that after the reception at 
the State House, and before dinner, the matter should be fully 
laid before the following gentlemen of the party: Judge David 
Davis, Col. Sumner, Major David Hunter, Capt. John Pope, 
Ward H. Lamon and John G. Nicolay. 

The meeting thus arranged took place in the parlor of the 
hotel, Mr. Lincoln being present. The facts were laid before 
them by me, together with the details of the proposed plan of 
action. There was a diversity of opinion and some warm dis- 
cussion, and I was subjected to a very rigid cross-examination. 
Judge Davis, who had expressed no opinion but contented him- 



self with asking rather pointed questions, turned to Mr. Lincoln, 
who had been listening to the whole discussion, and said : 
"Well, Mr. Lincoln, what is your judgment upon this matter?" 
Mr. Lincoln replied: "I have thought over this matter consid- 
erably since I went over the ground with Pinkerton last night. 
The appearance of Mr. Frederick Seward, with warning from 
another source, confirms my belief in Mr. Pinkerton's statement. 
Unless there are some other reasons, besides fear of ridicule, 
I am disposed to carry out Judd's plan." Judge Davis then 
said : "That settles the matter, gentlemen." Col. Sumner said : 
"So be it, gentlemen. It is against my judgment, but I have 
undertaken to go to Washington with Mr. Lincoln and I shall 
do it." I tried to convince him that every additional person 
added to the risk, but the spirit of the gallant old soldier was 
up, and debate was useless. 

The party separated about four p. m., the others to go to the 
dinner table, and myself to go to the railroad station and the 
telegraph office. At a quarter to six I was back at the hotel, 
and Mr. Lincoln was still at the table. In a few moments the 
carriage drove up to the side door of the hotel. Either Mr. 
Nicolay or Mr. Lamon called Mr. Lincoln from the table. He 
went to his room, changed his dinner dress for a traveling suit, 
and came down with a soft hat sticking in his pocket, and his 
shawl on his arm. As the party passed through the hall, I said 
in a low tone: "Lamon, go ahead. As soon as Mr. Lincoln is 
in the carriage, drive off. The crowd must not be allowed to 
identify him." Mr. Lamon went first to the carriage. Col. 
Sumner was following close after Mr. Lincoln. I put my hand 
gently on his shoulder. He turned round to see what was wanted, 
and before I had time to explain the carriage was off. The 
situation was a little awkward, to use no stronger terms, for a 
few moments. I said to the Colonel : "When we get to Wash- 
ington Mr. Lincoln shall determine what apology is due to 
you." Mr. Franciscus and Mr. Lewis, in charge of that special 
train, took Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Lamon safely to West Philadel- 
phia, and at that station you met them with a carriage and took 
them to the Baltimore train, and Mr. Lincoln immediately re- 
tired to his berth in the sleeping car. No one but the persons 



22 



herein named, not even his own family, knew where Mr. Lincohi 
was, until the next morning's telegraph announced that he was 
in Washington. To get away from questioning, I went to my 
room about nine o'clock and staid there until about one, when 
a dispatch reached me from Philadelphia saying that to that 
point all was right. 

Mr. Kennedy can test the accuracy of these facts, as to whom 
credit is due for arranging for the safety of Mr. Lincoln, by 
reference to the gentlemen named herein, and I have purposely 
given these in detail so that any doubting person can verify or 
contradict them. 

On our journey to Washington I had seen how utterly help- 
less the party were, even amongst friends and with a loyal police 
force, as Gen. Hunter had his shoulders broken in Buffalo in the 
crowd and jam. 

The same spirit that slaughtered the Massachusetts soldiers 
at Baltimore; that laid low, by the hand of an assassin, that 
great and good man at the commencement of his second term, 
had prepared to do that deed to prevent his first inauguration, 
and I know that the first warning of danger that Mr. Lincoln 
received came from you, and that his passage, in safety, through 
Baltimore, was accomplished in the manner above described. 

Respectfully yours, N. B. JUDD. 




23 



[Letter of William Stearns.] 

Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 4th, 1867. 

Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir: — In the early part of January, 1861, I had a con- 
versation with Mr. Felton in relation to our road. I was, at that 
time, Master Machinist of the road. We had received some reports 
that our road would be destroyed by Southern secessionists, and 
thus cut Washington off from railroad communication with 
the North. In conversation with Col. Bingham, Superintendent 
Adams Express, he advised Mr. Felton to see you in regard to 
the matter. Mr. Felton wrote to you upon the subject with a 
view to securing your services and those of your force that 
might be deemed advisable, in ascertaining if the secessionists 
had any designs upon our road, and if so, what they were. In 
the meantime I went to Baltimore on several different occasions 
and still heard these reports about the destruction of our road. 
In the meantime you arrived from Chicago with part of your 
force which was stationed between Baltimore and Havre De 
Grace. I learned of two companies being formed, one at Perry- 
mansville and one at Bell Air, from information I received, I 
was satisfied they were formed for the purpose of destroying our 
road. Mr. Felton and myself met you in Baltimore after you 
became established in that city and arranged for a cypher to be 
used between us in the transmission of messages. 

On the night of Feb. gth I sent you a letter as follows : 
"Yours of the 6th inst. received. I api informed that a son of a 
distinguished citizen of Maryland said that he had taken an 
oath with others to assassinate Mr. Lincoln before he gets to 
Washington, and they may attempt to do it while he is passing 
over our road. I think you had better look after this man if 
possible. This information is perfectly reliable. I have nothing 
more to say at this time. I shall try and see you in a few days." 

On Feb. 17th, 1861, I sent a telegram to you requesting you 
to meet me at the President Street Depot, in Baltimore, at 4.3a 
p. m. On the 18th you telegraphed me in reply that you had 
so much to say to me that it would take considerable time, and 
asking me if I would not remain over night in Baltimore, as 

24 



you inferred from my dispatch that it was my intention to arrive 
on the 4.30 p. m. train, and leave on the 5.15 p. m. train. On 
the i8th of February I sent you another dispatch, saying that if 
we did not get through with our interview I would remain over. 

On my arrival at Baltimore at the time specified, you in- 
formed me that you had received much valuable information, and 
had learned that my information was correct in regard to the 
plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln. And you gave me what infor- 
mation you had acquired with regard to the plot. I felt very 
solicitous for the safety of Mr. Lincoln; but there was a deli- 
cacy with me in relation to the matter, in regard to the action 
to be taken, inasmuch as the programme of the route of Mr. 
Lincoln to Washington was published as via Northern Central 
Railroad, from Harrisburg to Baltimore, and that road was 
considered, to some extent, as a competing road to our road from 
North to South. But it was finally concluded that it was best 
that you should communicate at once with Mr. Judd, a personal 
friend of Mr. Lincoln's, upon this subject, and that you should 
see Mr. Felton on the 21st, in Philadelphia. You accordingly 
wrote me that you had written Mr. Judd, informing him of 
the particulars of the plot, and had sent it to him, in New York, 
by a trusty messenger. 

On the 21 st of February you met Mr. Felton in Philadelphia, 
and he informed you that he had received from me all the infor- 
mation you had given me while in Baltimore. 

On the 22d of February you met Mr. Felton, my brother 
George, Mr. Kenney and myself at Mr. Felton's office, in the 
depot at Philadelphia. After considerable discussion as to what 
course to pursue, it was finally determined that I should go to 
Baltimore and make arrangements for the holding of the train 
from there to Washington, should that be necessary, as it had 
been determined on the night of the 21st by Mr. Lincoln, that 
he would go to Harrisburg on the morning of the 22d and return 
to Philadelphia on the same night, and take our night train 
from there to Baltimore and thence to Washington. And in case 
that train should be delayed, the Washington train from Balti- 
more would be kept until it arrived, and my brother George was 
directed to telegraph me from Wilmington when the train passed 

25 



there, as it was deemed unsafe to do so from Philadelphia. The 
arrangement also was that if the train was likely to arrive in 
Baltimore on time I should say nothing to the officers of the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad about the matter. 

On the night of the 22d of February, 1861, Mr. Kenney and 
yourself met Mr. Lincoln at the West Philadelphia Depot, and 
took him in a carriage over to the Philadelphia, Wilmington and 
Baltimore Railroad Depot. Mr. Lincoln took a berth in the 
sleeping car, and at eleven p. m. the train left the depot for 
Washington. I met you in our depot at Baltimore, went into 
the sleeping car and whispered in your ear "all is right," which 
seemed to be welcome news to you — it certainly was to me. 
Mr. Lincoln arrived in Washington without even the officers of 
the train knowing that he was aboard. 

On the arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washington. I followed him 
and yourself and saw you safely in a carriage bound for 
Willard's hotel. 

On the 26th of February I met you at the President Street 
Depot in Baltimore, where we talked over what had transpired — 
the disappointment of the secessionists and the failure of their 
plans to assassinate the President. I then informed you that 
Mr. Felton desired that j'ou should remain in Baltimore or 
Washington, as the case might be, until after the inauguration of 
Mr. Lincoln, and that you should keep Mr. Judd informed of any 
attempt that might be made to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on the 
day of his inauguration. After such services being rendered to 
the satisfaction of the officers of the Philadelphia, Wilmington 
and Baltimore Railroad Company, your bill was paid by the 
Railroad Company. 

Yours truly, WILLIAM STEARNS. 



26 



[Letter of H. F. Kenney, Esq.] 
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore R. R. Co., 

Philadelphia, Dec. 23d, 1867. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir: — The pressure of my office duties has been such as 
to place it out of my power to reply sooner to your letter of 
13th inst., expressing a wish for a more detailed statement than 
I gave you in mine of the loth inst., respecting the journey of 
President Lincoln from this city to Washington, on the night 
of Feb. 22d, 1861. 

You and I met for the first time on the afternoon of that day 
in the office of Mr. S. M. Felton, the President of this company. 
Mr. Felton, himself and Mr. William Stearns, then Master 
Mechanic of this road, being present. These conclusions were 
arrived at, as to the best arrangements that could be made for 
getting President Lincoln to Washington in such a way as to 
defeat the plans which were believed to have been matured for 
the assassination, and to baffle the vigilance with which his 
movements were watched by those concerned in that nefarious 
project. 

The arrangements having been decided upon, I proceeded to 
carry out the portion of them assigned to myself. In so doing 
I gave orders to the conductor (Mr. John Litzenberg) of the 
10.50 p. m. train of that night, not to start his train until he 
had instructions to do so from myself in person. By way of 
precluding surmises as to the reason for this order, Mr. Litzen- 
berg was informed that he would receive from my own hand an 
important parcel which President Felton desired should be deliv- 
ered early in the morning to Mr. E. J. Allen, at Willard's Hotel, 
in Washington. 

Then at a later hour I was to meet j'ou at depot of the 
Penns3'lvania Railroad Company, at West Philadelphia, in order 
to bring President Lincoln from that point to our depot, so timing 
his arrival at the latter place as to secure, as far as possible, 
against his presence there being noticed. Accordingly, I pro- 
ceeded to the West Philadelphia depot, and we met there at 
about 10 p. m. We had to wait but a short time when a special 

27 



train arrived with but one passenger car attached, from which 
President Lincohi, with Mr. Ward H. Lamon and a few other 
gentlemen, officers of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 
alighted. Upon their alighting. I had the honor of being intro- 
duced by j-ou to President Lincoln, and he. with Mr. Lamon, 
forthwith got into the carriage which had been provided by you, 
and the driver of which was placed by you under my directions 
as to his movements, so that these might be regulated with a view 
of reaching our depot a few minutes after the regular starting 
time of our train. This required that we should while away 
time ; for the train from Harrisburg had arrived considerably 
earlier than was anticipated. Accordingly, after you had taken 
j-our seat in the carriage with President Lincoln and Mr. Lamon, 
I took mine alongside of the driver, and directing him first down 
Market Street as far as Nineteenth, then up that street as far 
as Vine Street, and thence to Seventeenth Street, requesting him 
to proceed down that street slowly as if on the lookout for 
someone, towards our depot. L'pon reaching the immediate 
neighborhood of the depot, the carriage was turned into the 
nearest cross street (Carpenter), so that its occupants might 
alight in the shadow of the yard fence there. The President and 
Mr. Lamon under your guidance then entered the depot and 
passed through to the sleeping car, where you had secured berths 
for them. I followed at a short distance, and delivering to the 
conductor the parcel he was to wait for, gave orders for the 
train to start. It was at once put in motion, the time being 
10.55 P- m., five minutes after the regular time for starting. 

These are the particulars so far as my agency was involved 
in carrj'ing out the programme. 

Very truly yours, 

H. F. KENNEY, 

Superintendent. 



28 



[Letter of G. C. Franciscus, Esq.] 

Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 

OMce of General Agent, 3003 Market St., 

West Philadelphia, November 5th, 1867. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir: — In reply to yours of the 31st ult., I submit the 
following statement : 

On the night of February 21st, 1861, between 11 and 12 
o'clock, you called at my office at West Philadelphia and re- 
quested me to accompany you to the Continental Hotel. On my 
way there you stated that a plot existed to assassinate Mr. 
Lincoln, while on his way through Baltimore, and you desired 
to arrange for a special train to bring him from Harrisburg to 
Philadelphia, on the following night, Feb. 22d, to leave the 
former place about dark, and arrive here in time to take the 
II p. m. train for Washington. I replied that it could be done. 
When we reached the hotel you conducted me to a room where 
we found Mr. Judd and several others. The details of the pro- 
posed trip were discussed and arranged conditionally. Mr. 
Lincoln not having fully decided to yield to the wishes of his 
friends, reserved his final decision until morning. 

On the following morning, Feb. 22d, after we had left West 
Philadelphia, with Mr. Lincoln and party, Mr. Judd said to me: 
"Mr. Frederick Seward arrived from Washington, bringing a 
note from his father and Gen. Scott, the contents of which 
have decided Mr. Lincoln, and the trip will be made as arranged 
by Mr. Pinkerton last night." 

Mr. Enoch Lewis (our General Superintendent at that time) 
being on the train, I informed him of the arrangements made 
with you, and he joined me in perfecting and carrying them out. 

We left Harrisburg between 5 and 6 p. m., with IMr. Lincoln, 
and on arrival at West Philadelphia found you waiting with a 
carriage to take him to the Baltimore depot. 

In regard to the mode of Mr. Lincoln's leaving the hotel, at 
Harrisburg, I will state that I called at Coverly's with a carriage, 
at the hour agreed upon, and found him dining with a large 
companj^ which it was difficult for him to leave without attract- 

29 



ing attention. After several unsuccessful attempts he finally 
rose, took Gov. Curtin's arm. and walkied out the front hall door, 
across the pavement into the carriage, dressed just as he left 
the table, with the single exception of a soft v^rool hat that he 
drew from his coat pocket and put on ; he had neither cloak, 
overcoat nor shawl, but as we approached Philadelphia, I gave 
him my overcoat, which he wore until he was seated with you 
and Mr. Lamon in the carriage. 

Referring to your last question, I would say that nothing 
unusual occurred on the trip from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. 

The party in the car consisted of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Lamon, 
Mr. Enoch Lewis, John Pitcairn, Jr., and myself. 

Yours respectfully, G. C. FRANCISCUS, 

General Agent Pennsylvania Railroad. 




30 



[Letter of Enoch Lewis, Esq.] 

Philadelphia, Penn., November 7th, 1867. 

Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, III. 

Dear Sir: — In reply to your favor of the 31st ult., I would 
say that on the 21st of Feb., 1861, I was in Philadelphia in the 
way of business as General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad, to arrange for the movement of Mr. Lincoln, then 
President-elect of the United States, by special train from Phila- 
delphia to Harrisburg, on the 226. inst. ; it being understood that 
he was to proceed on the 23d from Harrisburg, by the Northern 
Central Railroad to Baltimore and thence to Washington. On 
that evening (the 21st), I met Mr. Judd in Philadelphia by ap- 
pointment, in company with !Mr. G. C. Franciscus, Superintend- 
ent of the Philadelphia Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, and was 
informed by him that in consequence of the apprehended danger 
of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln whilst passing through Balti- 
more, it was desired to change his route to the capitol, and to 
bring him back privately from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on 
the evening of the 22d, and to take him by the regular night 
train from Philadelphia to Washington., through Baltimore. I, of 
course, agreed to make any necessary arrangements so far as 
our road was concerned. On the 22d of Feb., I accompanied 
Mr. Lincoln in the special train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg; 
arrangements were quietly made for a special train, ostensibly to 
take Division Superintendent and myself back to the city; it 
was stationed just below the town soon after dark, where I 
awaited the coming of Mr. Lincoln. Early in the evening ]\Ir. 
Franciscus brought Mr. Lincoln, accompanied only by Ward 
H. Lamon, to it. We started, and without interruption reached 
Philadelphia in time for the night train to Washington. The only 
persons on the train which was run from Harrisburg to Philadel- 
phia, on the evening of the 22d, besides the engineer and fireman, 
were IMessrs. Lincoln and Ward H. Lamon, G. C. Franciscus, 
Division Superintendent; John Pitcairn, Jr., in charge of tele- 
graph instrument; T. E. Garrett. General Baggage Agent, and 
myself. When the train reached West Philadelphia you met 
us at the platform and escorted Messrs Lincoln and Lamon to a 



31 



carriage into which I saw you three get, and drive rapidly away 
in the direction of the Baltimore Depot. 

I saw no change in Mr. Lincoln's costume except that during 
the day he wore a silk or beaver hat, and in the evening one of 
soft felt. 

Respectfully, ENOCH LEWIS, 

Formerly Gen. Supt. Penn. R. R. 




32 



[Letter of John Pitcairn, Jr., Esq.] 

Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, 

Superintendent's Office, Middle Div., 

Renovo, Penn., Nov. 23d, 1867. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq. 

Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 9th inst., asking me for a 
statement in regard to the passage of Mr. Lincoln from Harris- 
burg to Philadelphia on the night of the 22d of February, 1861, 
is at hand. I was on the special train which conveyed the Presi- 
dential party from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, having with me 
a telegraphic instrument in order to connect with the wires 
should an accident occur making it necessary. 

Shortly after the arrival of the train at Harrisburg, Mr. G. C. 
Franciscus, Superintendent, directed me to proceed with a loco- 
motive and passenger car to a road-crossing at the lower end 
of Harrisburg, and there to await his coming. 

About dusk a carriage was driven up and Messrs. G. C. Fran- 
ciscus, Enoch Lewis, Lamon and finally Mr. Lincoln stepped 

out and entered the passenger car, the signal was given to the 
engineer, and we were on our way to Philadelphia. 

The lamps of the car were not lighted, and in darkness we 
went swiftly along until we reached Downingtown, where we 
stopped for water for the locomotive. 

At this place all the gentlemen excepting Mr. Lincoln got out 
of the car for a lunch. A cup of tea and a roll was taken to him 
in the car. 

We were soon again on our way to Philadelphia, where we 
arrived between ten and eleven o'clock. 

A carriage was found waiting, into which Mr. Lincoln and 
Mr. Lamon stepped, and were driven rapidly off without attract- 
ing the least attention, not even the engineer or fireman of the 
train knowing of the illustrious passenger they had conveyed 
from Harrisburg to Philadelphia. 

Mr. Lincoln on this occasion wore a light felt hat and had a 
gentleman's shawl thrown over his shoulders when he stepped 
from the carriage to the car at Harrisburg. He did not, how- 
ever, wear the shawl in stepping out of the car at Philadelphia. 

33 



This is all that I know personally in regard to the matter. 

I afterwards learned, however, from Mr. Franciscus that 
you had an interview with Mr. Lincoln at the Continental Hotel 
the evening previous, and had informed him of the probability of 
his assassination in Baltimore, and after considerable difficulty 
he was persuaded to go to Washington incognito in the manner 
stated. 

Yours truly, JOHN PITCAIRN, JR. 




34 



[Letter of Geo. R. Dunn, Esq.] 

The New Jersey Express Company, 

Superintendent's Office, 

Newark, N. J., November 7th, 1867. 

Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Pinkerton's National Police Agency, 
Chicago, 111. 

My Dear Sir:— Yonv letter of the 31st ult., covering some 
printed extracts from Lossing's History, did not reach me until 
the evening of the 5th inst., owing to my absence on business. 

On reading your letter and the extracts, I was somewhat 
surprised to see that others were trying to take the credit of 
Mr. Lincoln's trip from Philadelphia to Washington, when it 
does not belong to them. 

My recollection of the facts is perfectly plain, and as facts 
seem to be much wanted in this matter, I will relate them. 

I distinctly recollect that February morning, when you en- 
tered my oflfice. Chestnut Street, near Third, Philadelphia, about 
6.30, and said you desired my assistance, immediately, in an 
important matter; it was imperative that I should go to Balti- 
more in the 8 a. m. train; when at Baltimore to proceed to a 
given place and meet some party to whom I was directed by you. 
After seeing this party, and communicating my business, I was 
to telegraph you, and return by the afternoon train to Philadel- 
phia, and communicate with Mrs. Warne, whom I knew by sight, 
and whom I would find in the ladies' room at the Baltimore 
Depot. In my conversation with Mrs. Warne, whom I met ac- 
cording to agreement, she told me that you desired me to pur- 
chase tickets and sleeping car berths for an invalid friend, you 
and herself, and to make such arrangements for getting the party 
into the car quietly, as quiet was necessary for the invalid — also 
to stay until you arrived. In turning the matter over in my 
mind, I thought the best berths under the circumstances would 
be the rear ones, so I got the tickets for them and made an ar- 
rangement with the person in charge of the sleeping car to have 
the rear door opened when I desired. This person's name was 

35 



Knox. At first he declined, but an explanation of the fact that 
it was for the accommodation of an invalid, who would arrive 
late, and did not desire to be carried through the narrow passage 
way of the crowded car, he consented to the arrangement. After 
this was eflfected, I waited on Mrs. Warne, in the ladies' room, 
told her what I had done, at which she expressed her satisfaction, 
and requested to be shown to her berth in the car, which was 
done. 

I then took my position on the platform, and waited until 
yourself and party arrived, which you did, about five minutes 
before eleven. That party consisted of Mr. Lincoln, yourself 
and another, whom I was subsequently informed was a Mr. La- 
mon. Mr. Lincoln was dressed in an ordinary sack overcoat, 
felt hat; I think they were called Kossuth hats, with a muffler 
around his throat, and carried a traveling bag in his hand. So 
soon as the party was on the train the cars were started. I think 
the railroad officers who detained that train for the special pur- 
pose could bear testimony as to whose instigation the train was 
delayed, and give evidence of your part of the transaction. 

There may be some points that I have left out, but the facts 
of this letter are not to be denied. 

Respectfully yours, GEO. R. DUNN. 




36 



[Letter of Gov. Curtin.] 

Bellefonte, December 8th, 1867. 

Sir: — You ask me in your letter of the nth of November 
last to "give you a statement of what transpired between your- 
self and Mr. Lincoln upon the night prior to his leaving Harris- 
burg, and as to whether Mr. Lincoln was in any disguise at the 
time." 

Mr. Lincoln arrived in Harrisburg about noon on the 22d of 
February, 1861, and as previously arranged, I met him at the 
entrance of the Jones House, on the corner of the Market Square 
of the city. We passed upstairs and then to a balcony, where 
he replied to some words of welcome which I addressed to him. 
He was then taken in a carriage to the hall of the House of 
Representatives, when he was addressed by the Speaker and made 
a reply. On our way back to the hotel he asked me to dine with 
him, and after we entered the house, communicated to me pri- 
vately the fact that a conspiracy had been discovered to assassi- 
nate him in Baltimore on his way through that city the next day. 
I remember quite well that Mr. Lincoln mentioned your name in 
connection with information he received on the way, and my 
impression is that he stated he met you in Philadelphia and there 
received the information from you. He said at the same time 
that definite information had been sent to him from Wm. H. 
Seward by his son Frederick. He then said his friends were 
anxious that he should go by way of Philadelphia as privately as 
possible, and that those who were informed of the conspiracy 
were extremely solicitous that he would not expose himself to 
the threatened danger in Baltimore. He seemed pained and sur- 
prised that a design to take his life existed, and although much 
concerned for his personal safety as well as for the peace of the 
country, he was very calm, and neither in his conversation or 
manner exhibited alarm or fear. 

When he had determined to go to Washington by Philadel- 
phia, and the arrangements were made, he put on his overcoat and 
hat (it was a felt hat such as were in common use at that time) 
and taking my arm we passed through the hall of the hotel and 
downstairs to a carriage in waiting at the door. We drove down 
the street and by the house in which I lived to the train. The 

37 



halls, stairwaj'S and pavement in front of the house were much 
crowded, and no doubt the impression prevailed that Mr. Lin- 
coln was going to the Executive Mansion with me. To avoid 
inquiries I remained in the house when repeated calls were 
made by persons who supposed he was there. It was regarded as 
eminently proper that it should not be generally known that Mr. 
Lincoln had left Harrisburg, but he neither assumed nor sug- 
gested any disguise of any kind. 

No doubt the gentlemen who accompanied Mr. Lincoln were 
privy to all the arrangements made in reference to his journey. 
I had no conversation with any of them that occurs to me now 
on the subject. He gave me all the knowledge I had, and what 
was done was discussed before it occurred. 

You thus have substantially the circumstances attending his 
visit to Harrisburg and his departure for Washington so far as 
I had any connection with the events. 

Very respectfully j'our obedient servant, 

A. G. CURTIN. 
Allan Pinkerton, Esq. 




38 




TIMOTHY WEBSTER 

I860 



[Letter of H. E. Thayer.] 

Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1867. 

Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Principal National Police Association, 
Chicago, 111. 

Dear Sir: — I am in receipt of yours of 31st ult., enclosing 
"Extracts from Lossing's History of the War," one of which is 
a copy of a letter from John A. Kennedy, General Superintend- 
ent Metropolitan Police, New York, in which Mr. Kennedy claims 
for himself and David S. Bookstaver, of the Metropolitan Police, 
the honor of having prevented the assassination of Mr. Lincoln 
at Baltimore in February, 1861. In your letter you request a 
statement of my connection in the matter, and what I know of 
it, viz. : The passage of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg to Washing- 
ton via Philadelphia and Baltimore, on the night of Feb. 22d, 
1861. 

In February, 1861, I was Manager of the American Tele- 
graph Office in this city. On the morning of the 22d of February 
I was introduced at my office by W. P. Westervelt, Superin- 
tendent, to Geo. H. Burns, Confidential Agent of E. S. Sanford, 
Esq., President of the American Telegraph Company, who in- 
formed me that a plot had been discovered in Baltimore to 
assassinate the President-elect on his passage through that citj% 
and it had been arranged that ]\Ir. Lincoln should go through 
from Harrisburg to Washington privately on the night of the 
22d, and it was desired to prevent any possibility of the fact of 
the President's departure from Harrisburg being telegraphed 
from Harrisburg to Baltimore ; that the telegraph wires on the 
line of the Northern Central Railroad, from Harrisburg to Balti- 
more, should be cut, so as to prevent communication from passing 
by that route, and asked if I had a trusty man to do the work. I 
replied that I had, and detailed Andrew Wynne, my lineman, for 
the service; provided him with a coil of copper wire and gave 
him instructions to attach a ground wire to each of the two line 
wires at the back of a pole, and if possible to cut the line wires 
and make the ground connections on both sides and leaving the 
line attached to the pole so that parties who might be sent out 
to hunt the difficulty would not discover the trouble for some 

39 



time, at least, until long after Mr. Lincoln should have arrived 
at Washington. 

W. P. Westervelt, Esq., Superintendent, was to accompany 
Mr. Wynne to Harrisburg. They can speak for themselves as 
to how the work was done. Mr. Wynne reported on the 23d, 
having successfully accomplished his mission, having cut and 
grounded both wires. 

On the morning of the 22d, I also promised Mr. Burns that 
I would myself be on duty at my office during the night and until 
Mr. Lincoln's arrival in Washington, to see that no despatches 
passed over the wires from Harrisburg to Baltimore, giving 
information, and also to receive and deliver to the St. Louis 
Hotel any despatches that might come for "J- H. Hutchinson." 
I was on guard on that eventful night all night. Early in the 
evening a despatch came from Harrisburg for "J. H. Hutchinson," 
I think, from Burns, announcing the departure. No despatches 
came from Harrisburg to Baltimore. 

Early on the morning of the 23d, a despatch was received, 
announcing the arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washington, and that 
he was met at the depot by Hon. W. H. Seward. I then left the 
operating room and went home. 

Mr. Burns afterwards informed me that Allan Pinkerton had 
saved Mr. Lincoln's life, and subsequently introduced me to you 
as Allan Pinkerton, alias J. H. Hutchinson. 

This is the substance of my knowledge of the matter. I have 
always believed, and, in fact, know, that you took Mr. Lincoln 
from Philadelphia to Washington on that eventful night, and 
to you is due the honor of having saved the life of Mr. Lincoln 
and the country its President-elect. 

Yours truly, H. E. THAYER. 



40 



[Letter of Andrew Wynne, Esq.] 

Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1867. 
A. PiNKERTON, Esq. 

Dear Sir: — Your note of Oct. 31st received, and in reply 
have to state that I am the person who cut the wires between 
Harrisburg and Baltimore, for the purpose of preventing the 
report of Mr. Lincoln's departure on that occasion. The facts 
of the case are as follows : 

On the morning of February 22d, 1861, I was employed in the 
office of the American Telegraph Company, Philadelphia, and 
received orders from H. E. Thayer, Manager, to hold myself 
in readiness for important duty in the course of an hour. Before 
that time had expired, Mr. Thayer asked me if I had any ob- 
jections to fix the wires of another company so as to prevent any 
communications passing over them. I answered I would not in 
some cases. Mr. Thayer then stated that the life of President 
Lincoln was in great danger, and that he (Mr. Thayer) wanted 
some good man he could depend upon to cut the wires between 
Harrisburg and Baltimore. I replied, under that circumstance 
I would. He then gave me orders to proceed to Harrisburg in 
the next train in company with W. P. Westervelt, Superintendent. 
We proceeded to Harrisburg with necessary tools, fine copper 
wire, etc. Arriving in Harrisburg, we met Capt. Burns. We three 
then proceeded to the office of the telegraph company, and I 
traced the wires through the city and found the wires that were 
necessary to cut. Capt. Bums, W. P. Wetservelt and myself 
walked south of the city about two miles. I then climbed the 
pole and put fine copper ground wire on wires between Harris- 
burg and Baltimore, which prevented all communication passing 
over them. I then returned to telegraph office in Harrisburg 
and asked the operator there to send a message for me to 
Baltimore — when the operator stated he could not, as all com- 
munication with Baltimore was cut off. I reported the fact to 



41 



Capt. Burns and W. P. Westervelt. They thanked me, and 
requested me to stay in Harrisburg that night and return to Phil- 
adelphia next morning, which I did. When I returned I met 
Mr. Thayer. He told me he had been on duty all night so as to 
prevent any communication passing over the wires of the Ameri- 
can Company. I received his thanks for the part which I had 
taken. 

The foregoing is a truthful statement of what passed. 

Yours respectfully, ANDREW WYNNE. 




42 




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